United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Virgin Galactic space flights get FAA approval
Virgin Galactic says it has been given the green light to blast off by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Virgin said it has been granted a license to fly tourists on future space flights, putting it in front of rivals in the commercial space race.
"The commercial license that we have had in place since 2016 remains in place, but is now cleared to allow us to carry commercial passengers when we’re ready to do so," said Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier.
Virgin Galactic’s stock soared by more than a third, Its largest single day rise.
It has completed three tests spaceflight and plans to hold three more tests before it plans commercial service.
The second of these would include founder Sir Richard Branson as a passenger.
Fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are vying to get their space tourism projects off the ground.
Colglazier said there is no confirmed date yet when Virgin Galactic will start commercial service.
The company says it has about 600 advance reservations for spaceflights with trips costing up to $250,000 per passenger.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel